ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates’ media sector has reinforced its pivotal role in shaping future industry dynamics throughout 2024, marked by strategic initiatives, influential events, and critical decisions aimed at fostering innovation, empowering professionals, and addressing global challenges.
According to Emirates News Agency, the year commenced with a series of strategies spearheaded by the National Media Office (NMO), which aimed to enhance the UAE’s media presence on both regional and international fronts. These efforts were reflected in the country’s participation in numerous forums and events that underscored its global standing in the media landscape.
The UAE’s commitment to advancing its media sector was evident through the hosting of events such as the “Media and National Responsibility Forum” and a forum for Emirati media pioneers, organized by the National Media Office. These gatherings focused on empowering the media sector, addressing global shifts, and anticipating future trends. Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office and Chairman of the UAE Media Council, played a pivotal role in these initiatives, further participating in regional meetings to bolster the sector’s growth.
A significant highlight of the year was the Global Media Congress, organized by the ADNEC Group in collaboration with the Emirates News Agency (WAM). Under the theme “Vision, Empowerment, Interaction,” the event attracted 25,567 visitors and featured 96 panel discussions on critical media trends, alongside four major keynote sessions from global experts. Furthermore, the National Media Office collaborated with Trends Research and Advisory to release a study examining the role of media regulators in the AI era, exploring the challenges and opportunities AI presents to the industry.
International cooperation was emphasized during the UAE’s participation in the extraordinary session of the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers in Istanbul, Trkiye, where the NMO Chairman underscored the necessity for global collaboration to address the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. Additionally, at the 27th GCC Information Ministers Meeting in Doha, Qatar, the UAE proposed the creation of a unified information database for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and a comprehensive study on AI’s future impact on the media sector.
In a bid to further regional cooperation, the UAE hosted the 20th session of the Executive Office of the Arab Information Ministers Council in December, focusing on media collaboration amid current political and economic challenges. The event was attended by key figures, including Salman Al-Dosari, Saudi Minister of Media, and media ministers from other Arab countries.
The ‘1 Billion Followers Summit’ in 2024 was another standout event, drawing over 7,000 participants, including more than 3,000 content creators with over 1.6 billion followers from 95 countries. The summit generated over 300 million social media interactions and facilitated numerous partnerships between creators and over 200 production companies. It also featured over 100 activities and launched an AED150 million fund to support content creators.
In March, the UAE hosted the ninth edition of the Emirati Media Forum (EMF), examining the intersection of media and the economy. Concurrently, Dubai Media Incorporated launched the ‘Dubai Media Academy’ to nurture young media professionals’ skills, while the Dubai Media Council introduced the ‘Emirati Media Talent Pledge’ initiative, aimed at developing promising national media talent in partnership with the private sector.
The Dubai Press Club launched the ‘Arab Podcast Programme,’ the first initiative of its kind in the region, designed to foster audio content creation and support content creators across the Arab world. Additionally, Sharjah hosted the 13th edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2024), attracting over 250 global experts, and the 7th edition of the Dubai International Content Market, which drew over 800 professionals from 50 countries and featured 87 exhibitors from major media institutions and global distribution companies.